If you love The Beastie Boys’ Paul’s Boutique chances are you’ll find at least something to like in the new record from production duo Ill Mondo and emcee Neal Rames. That’s not to say that this record comes close to its legendary forefather, the Beastie’s sophomore record is a stone-cold classic, but this album is a lot of fun. When you hear these Funk samples stacked on top of each other so well and the irreverent way in which Rames rhymes, your mind is likely to drift back to that Sampledelic landmark. But credit where credit is due, Ill Mondo and Rames clearly put in a lot of care and effort to create such an invigorating listen, and while it may not be breaking new ground, it’s got its own charms.

First and foremost there is the production by Ill Mondo. Based in California, these guys know how to build a track from disparate parts like few others out there. A song like “No Knot Never” accomplishes the rare feat of arranging a bunch of samples in such a way that the listener could swear there is a real live band playing on the track, and it’s one of many on the album that does so. Ill Mondo is obviously in love with ’70s Rare Groove and it’s a joy to listen to the duo ground their tracks in heavy bass and crisp drums and then slather organ riffs and horn stabs over top of it all. They also display an impressive talent for scratching on several cuts, in particular “Rock 10”.

Neal Rames does a good job matching the old-school vibe of the backing tracks while at the same time branching out enough to demonstrate his versatility. A track like “Natalie Moore” could come across as clichéd as it deals with the well worn subject of drug abuse but it is Rames’ attention to detail that makes the song worthwhile. And on the propulsive, bongo heavy “Sound Sharp!” (an allusion to Joe Jackson’s album Look Sharp! which is also referenced on the outstanding album cover) Rames switches his flow up repeatedly throughout the song to match Ill Mondo’s every musical twist and turn. The record also benefits from some great guest appearances: Percee P runs all over the outlandishly organ heavy (even for these guys) “2 Fold”, Prince Po deftly handles the tempo shift of the darker, more ominous track “Scriptures”, and Sean Price absolutely murders his verse on “Suicide Doors”, his thoroughly committed delivery and unmatched intensity whetting appetites for his next official full length.

Sometimes it’s a thrill to hear extremely skilled musicians create a track from spare parts. And sometimes it’s great just to hear emcees that are having fun playing with words with little care for current trends. This record is proof that not everything has to be groundbreaking and monumental to be thoroughly enjoyable and worth your time.

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